The Pacific coast of California and Baja California, Mexico are home to a
unique population of great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) that are
genetically distinct and isolated from all other great white sharks around
the globe. Scientists estimate that only a few hundred adult and sub-adult
individual great white sharks remain in this population, meaning the
continued existence of great white sharks on the US west coast is at risk.

Existing protections are not adequately protecting this species. Juvenile
great white sharks continue to be killed as incidental bycatch in US and
Mexican commercial fishing gillnets in important nursery areas for these
young sharks. Under existing regulations, there are no limits on this
bycatch, nor is there sufficient observer coverage in these fisheries. In
addition, juvenile great white sharks off of southern California can be
caught and killed by recreational fishermen who assume any small shark is
edible, when if fact they have some of the highest levels of mercury, DDT,
and PCBs found in any shark species worldwide.

Our ocean ecosystems need great white sharks.

As top ocean predators, great white sharks play a critical top-down role
in structuring the marine ecosystem by keeping prey populations like seals
and sea lions in check. The presence of great white sharks ultimately
increases species diversity of the overall ecosystem.

The North East Pacific Population of great white sharks along the US West
Coast requires additional protection as an endangered species because of its
low population size and the ongoing threats from human activities.
Endangered Species Act listing will be critical to effectively addressing
the continued bycatch of great white sharks, while promoting additional
scientific research on this dwindling population.

We urge the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect great white
sharks by listing the North East Pacific Population on the Federal
Endangered Species List.